In these darkening days, the weights of the year often become heavier.As families gather, we remember those who are no longer with us, or disagreements that have left family estranged.The season of gift-giving puts strain on those already struggling to make ends meet.The cold and the dark can be hard on our bodies, bringing out aches, pains, illness, and depression.These struggles stand in stark contrast to the merriment of the Christmas carols, holiday décor, and advertising campaigns proclaiming this to be the most wonderful time of the year.

It is important, through the various struggles of the season, to remember that we are not alone.To this end, we will be offering a Longest Night Service on December 20 at 7:00 pm in Nambu Chapel.It will be a time for us to gather to mark the losses we are grieving- whether they be loved ones lost, expectations dashed, financial security threatened- and sanctify them in the light of Christ’s Advent.It will be a candlelight service at which we will hold silence, pray, and reflect both on what we have lost in the past year and what has sustained us along the way.